Hosea 5

The prophet goeth on, in setting forth the judgements of God, by the enemies, upon the estates of Israel, and upon Juda also, because of their Tyanny, all manner of oppression and idolatry, cutting them off from all divine and humane help in their distresses, verse 1, etc. until they should be brought to conversion at last, 15.

1. Hear this ye Priests, and attend ye house of Isreal, and give car (O) house of the King; [It should seem that the prophet doth make this addresse here to the three of the kingdom of Israel, in several respects : the ecclesiastical men, the eldest of the people, and the King. Yet some conceive, that by the house of Israel here are understood the ten tribes, and by the King, the king of Juda.] for this judgement concerneth you. [He. For men, or, people, to whom this belongeth; See Jer.48. On verse. 21. oth, the judgement or Right would becomes you, I.e. ought indeed to doe and administer right and judgement, and then the following wordsare read, but yeare a snare &c. compare Mich.3.1. And Mal.2.1.4.] because ye are become a snare [I.e. like one] at Mizpa, [there were divers heights and places of name on both sides o the river Jordan: of Mizpa in Gelead, see Judges 10:17. with the annot. This may taken thus, that the idolatrous governors and priest of the ten tribes, appointed guards on both sides of Jordan upon eminent places for to wach and apprehend all such, as would go up to Jerusalem, there to perform the worship God, and so to murther them; which also the beginning of the next verse seems to have respect unto. Compare below. chapter 6.9. with the annot, chapter 7.1. also 1 Kings 15:17. with the annotat. There. Others understand it so, as if by all kinde of subril wayes and diveces they sought to allure the inhabitants unto their new – broached idolatry, for get the same approved by them, as a service well pleasing to God; dealing with men no otherwise, then fowlers and huntsmen, were wont to do upon both these high mountains.] and net[I.e. like a net] spread abroad Thabor. [of this amount see Judg. 8. on v.8.]

2. And those that turn aside, go deep for to say : [When the backsliding Israelites, such as were sent forth on purpose, did spie any honest godly passengers from the tops of those mountains, then they presently got them down towards the bottom, for to lay hold on and slay them: some read it thus: They go deep to murther, (or, kill) the with – drawing, or retting ones, or retiring ones, viz. From among the idolatrous Israel, to Juda and Jerusalem; the sence being one and the same: other understand it deep and profound sinning, in murdering the godly, and tender it, make deep, or, multiply the saying which likewise differs but little from the other reading. Or of the deep and profound and subtile device, to beget a good opinion in the people of their idolatrous sacrifices, (as you had in the former note) which God accounts an unprofitable killing and slaying of beasts. The Hebr. Word is used both ways, for to go down, lurk or hide ones self in deep places, as Jeremiah 49:8 30. and ff singing deeply, as Isaiah 31:6 below chap 9.9. and both together (as it seemeth) Isaiah 29:15. where with both these verses the second and the third may also firtly be compared.] but I will be rebuker to them all. [Heb. A correction, or correctour, correcting – master, imply one that doth use to correct both words and stripes. See Prov. 7. on vers. 22. Oth. Through I was an instructor to them all, I.e. taught and instructed them otherwise by my prophets.]

3. I know Ephraim, and Israel is no hid before me, that thou O Ephraim, and art a whoring now, and Israel is polluted. [As if God said, ye shall not able to obscure your whoredomes before me, by disavowing or cloaking the same, I have too plainly and frequently and taken you in the fact.]

4. They doe not dispose their actions, [Or, their actions give up themsleves (with) their actions, to &c. Oth their works, (or, practises) will not give way, or, permit, that, &c. Compare Psalms 36:3. 5. and 55. 20. and 64. 6.] for to convert themselves unto their God, for the spirit of: whoredomes [See above chapter 4. on vers. 12.] is in the midst of them: and the LORD they know not.[however they seek to cover and cloak their idolatry with his name See above chapter 4. on verse. 1. and 15.]

5. There fore shall the pride of Israel witness to his face: [Or doth witness, or, answer, and so below chapter 7. 10. the sence is : their insolent and stifnecked contempt of all the faithful warning a and exhortations of my prophets, is so palpable and manifest, that it cannot be denyed; and it shall stand to confront them, or to the shame and confusion of their faces, witness against them in my judgement, to their conviction, and in testimony, that they are justly punished by me. Compare Isaiah 59:12. Jeremiah 14:7. Amos 6:8. Zech .2. 10. and like phrase of the contray, Genesis 30:33. Oth the glory, exaltation, excellery, &c. of Israel. I.e. the blesting whereby I have so much exalted them, shall convince them of their unthanfulnes] and Israel and Ephraim shall, through their iniquiry; [See above. Chap 4,5. and 14. 9.] Juda also shall fall [Heb is fallen] with them.

6. With their sheep and with their oxen shall they go (then) for the seek the LORD, but not finde him [I.e. they shall think and go about to satisfie, or appease God with their sacrifices,thereby to obtain help and succour from him,but in vain.Compare 2 Kings 23:21,] he hath withdraw himself from them.[or, made himself loose (or free) from them, as one that would have nothing more to do with them, by reason of their offending him so much with their abominations.]

7. They have dealt unfaithfully against the LORD; they have gotten strange children: [By matching themselves with heathish women, against the expresse command of God. Compare Ezekiel 9:1,2. Nehem. 13. 23. Mal. 2. 21. it being one consequence of such matches that the children came thereby to be nursed up in idolatry] now [I.e. shortly , or therefore] the now moon shall consume the, [by the new moon in understood the idolatry, which they commited in the moons. Some take it as similatude of usury, or moneth – money returns very hastily, and consumes the debtor before he is aware of it. Oth. Take a moneth for short time, as Zach. 11. 8. or for appointed time] with their parts. [Or portions shares, I.e. wil all their goods, lands and possessions. Compare Psal. 16. 5. with the annot. Some do understand the sacrifices which were divided into many parts.]

8. Blow the trumpets [Here God very lively sets before their eyes the terrour of the approaching enemie; when as it is usual to found alatum in the places next adjacent] at Gibea, the Trumpet at Rama; [Gibea and Rama lay both in Benjamin, on the borders of Ephraim. See Jud. 19. on verse 13. These fronter – places were doubtless strong and well garison'd, and consequently they reposed much confidence in them; at Gibea, saul dwelt, at Ramah Samuel was born; 1 Samuel 10:6 and chapter 1. See likewise 1 Kings 15:17, 21, 22.] cry aloud (at) Both – Aven; [See above chapter 4. on verse. 15.] after the Benjamin. [Hereupon may be understood, is the Enemy, or ther is the work, to wit, The enemy is busie in Ephraim, and there he begins to lay waste, whereof next verse. Benjamin lay between Juda and Ephraim; in which regard some do take these words, as a description of the situation of Juda, laying south behind Benjamin; and that thus Juda also should be alrmed like unto the foresaid places. Or it may plainly be taken thus, after, or behind thee Benjamin, I.e. let Benjamin likewise blow the alarm, backwards, to shew that the alarms should spread all about on the neck of one another, from one place to the other].

9. Ephraim shall become a desolation, in the day of punishment; [Or, correction, I.e. at that time, when I shall pronounce and execute the judgement spoken of before, verse. 1.] among the tribes of Israel, I have made known, [Or I do make known] that which is certain and assured, and I shall come to passe without all peradventure, that they may know, when it dith come to passe, that I am the LORD. Oth. I have made known the faithfulness, I.e. have shewed forth my faithfulnesse to Israel, by mainfold warning of their desolation to come, if they prevented it not by timely repentance. Oth. Thus it is certain. It, viz. The foretold and threatned judgement.]

10. The Princes of Juda are become like unto those that remove the borders; [A thing which God had severely forbidden and accursed, Deuteronomy 19:14. and 27. 17 Job 24:2. Proverbs 22:28. This was like wise practised by the Governours of Juda in that time of Achaz, when they trespassed and inchroached upon the limits of God himself, and carefully maintained by the good kings; and went beyond the bounds of their office and administration, bringing all things into confusion, the usual consequence, by God judgement, of confounding true Religion. See 2 Kings 16. and that draweth along with it Deluge of Gods indignation and vengeance, overflowing and destroying all] I will pour out mine indignation over them like water. [See Psal. 79. on verse 6.]

11. Ephraim is oppressed, he is bruised with right (or, judgement;)[Or he is battered, broken, or beaten in places. Heb. Bruising of judgement. The plainest sense of these words seems to be, that all this should come very justly upon them, according to their own demerits; which agreeth well with the following text. Some take it, that Ephraim, as he was accustomed formerly to judge others, should be reduced to that condition, to suffer others to passe jedgement upon, them, and in jedgemnet to bruise and undo them] for so he would (have) it; he hath walked according to the commandment.[viz of their king Jerobeam, the Founder of their abominable idolatry, and all the ensuing licentiousnesse, in whose paths his successors still insisted; it sufficed them, that they could pretend their king command and authority, and thereupon they went still without the least remorse, having no regard to any warning of God and his Prophets Oth. Thus, He hath walked of good will, voluntary; or be would walk after the command, or precept. Heb. He would, he walked, etc. See Psal. 45. on verse 5.]

12. Therefore shall I be to Ephraim, as a moth: [See Job 13:28 Psal. 30. 12. Proverbs 12:4. and 14 . 30. Isaiah 50:9. and 51. 8.] and to the house of Juda as a corruption [Or putrifaction, worm – breeding, I.e. Even as clothes by moths, and other things by corruption or wormes come insensibly it were ti be consumed; so shall I by judgments consume and destroy the people of both these Nations by degrees, as also come to pass afterwards, first to Israel, and after to Juda]

13. When Ephraim beheld his sickeness, [I.e. was sensible of all this evil now foretold,and saw, or observed it drawing on in good earnest] and Juda built; [Compare Obad. Verse. 7.] then Ephraim went to Assur, [I.e. to Pal the king of Assyria, by gifts and presents to make him become of an enemy, their friend and helper; this seeming to have regard to the history of king Monahem, 2 Kings 15:19. etc. See further below chapter 7. verse 11 etc. and he sent [this some apply to Juda , by comparing the foregoing and following verse. (see 2 Kings 16:7. to king Jacob. Compare bel. chapter 10. 6. by which place in appeareth, that this was Name of a certain king of Assyria (as likewise some Chronologers have it) or such a general names as the Jews and Israelites were wont to give unto those foreign kings, whose help and protection they sought unto, dist, usting Gods, Jereh signifying in Hebrew , he shall contend , plead, right , I.e. he is the man that shall take our cause upon him, and maintain it. Compare Judges 6:31. 32. with the annotat.] but shall not be able to cure you, nor shall (he) heal the bile from you. [I.e. so as to take it quite away from you of it. Oth. He shall heal the wound of (none) out of, or from (among) you.]

14. For I will be to Ephraim as fierce Lion, and to the house of Juda as young Lion: I, I will tear [or prey; Compare below chapter 6.1.] and b gone; I will carry away and there shall be none to rescue.

15. I will go away, and turn again to my place [Spoken after the manner of men, God said to come down, when he hath some great work to do, or executeth his judgments upon the earth; and to return to his place, and to be silent, when he suffers men to bide in misery, or doth not deliver them until they repent, and his time be come. Compare Genesis 11:7 Isaiah 26:21. and 16. 4. etc.] until they acknowledge themselves guilty, and seek my face. [See 2 Chron. 7. on verse. 14. and chapter 11. on verse. 16.] When they shall be in streight, they will seek me early. [I.e timely, diligently and servently See Job 7:21. and 8. 5. Proverbs 7:15. Psal. 5. 4. with the annotat and compare Jeremiah 29:12,13,14. Dan .9. and the books of Ezra and Nehemia, and besides the time of New – Testament. Especially. Mat. 11. 12etc.]